Method and apparatus for stretching carpets including compression force measuring means



March 1967 F. N. THOMPSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING CARPETS INCLUDING COMPRESSION FORCE MEASURING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 1966 Q Qm INVENTOR. FA. 0 YD M Fw /p50 ATTOQA/E-YS j March 28, 1967 THOMPSQN 3,311,347 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING CARPETS INCLUDING COMPRESSION FORCE MEASURING MEANS Filed June 6, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aw I i 1 i .//0@ f i /05 i i I /02 m /0 l 1 1 I I I 1 I F fi k-i I //0 L J" '7 m f i Er-7 Patented i i/Ear. 28, 1967 3,311,347 METHOD AYE) APPARATUS FOR STRETCHEIG CARPETS INCLUDING COMPRESSION FORCE MEASURING MEANS Floyd N. Thompson, Burkbnrnett, Tex. 76354 Filed June 6, 1966, Ser. No. 555,448 7 Claims. (Cl. 25457) This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 443,123, filed in the US. Patent Office on Mar. 25, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to improved methods and apparatus for installing carpets. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an improved carpet stretching device and methods of using the improved carpet stretching device for installing carpets.

In the process of installing a carpet, a stretching device is generally used to tighten, stretch, pull or otherwise cause the carpet to be taut and free of wrinkles or bulges. Failure to apply sufiicient force or to apply equal forces to the carpet may result in the wrinkling or bulging of the carpet whereby the floor covering will be unsatisfactory.

Many devices have been proposed heretofore for use in applying a stretching force to the carpet. None of these devices have been entirely satisfactory. None, so far as presently known, have included any means for directly indicating the magnitude of the stretching force exerted on the carpet whereby equal forces can be applied to the carpet in all directions. Substantially equal forces must be exerted on the carpet in all directions required to lay the carpet and, since none of the prior devices have included means for indicating the magnitude of said forces, a highly skilled person has been required to lay the carpet in a satisfactory manner.

Generally, this invention provides an improved carpet stretching apparatus comprising: first and second spaced, carpet engaging members arranged to engage the carpet; force measuring means operably connected with the first carpet engaging member; and, force exerting means operably connected with the force measuring means and with the second carpet engaging member for exerting a force on the carpet stretching apparatus to bias the carpet engaging members relatively apart thereby stretching the carpet between the members.

This invention also contemplates an improved method of laying carpet that includes the steps of: laying the carpet over the floor area to be carpeted; placing the carpet stretching apparatus along a first edge of the carpet with the carpet engaging members adjacent respective corners of the carpet and in holding engagement therewith; actuating the force exerting means, moving the members relatively apart and stretching the carpet; securing the first edge of the carpet adjacent the apparatus to the floor; and, stretching and securing the remaining edges of the carpet with equal force as indicated by the indicator on the force measuring means.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved carpet stretching apparatus wherein an equal force will be applied to the carpet whereby the carpet will be free from wrinkles, bumps and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved carpet stretching apparatus that can be utilized in virtually any room regardless of the size of the room.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved carpet stretching apparatus that can be broken into component parts for ease in handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved carpet stretching apparatus that can be quickly, easily and economically constructed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of laying carpet that effectively eliminates wrinkling or bulging of the carpet.

One further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for laying carpet wherein the carpet is stretched by equal forces in all appropriate directions.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved method for laying carpet that can be quickly, easily and efliciently performed by relatively unskilled operators.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of carpet stretching tus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly in cross of the carpet stretching apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, illustrating the dial or indicator on force measuring means that is part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a room and showing part of the steps utilized in carrying out the method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating additional steps utilized in carrying out the method of the invention; and,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a method of attaching or securing the carpet to the floor adjacent walls of a room or the like.

Referring to the drawings and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, shown therein and generally designated by the reference character ill is a carpet stretching device constructed in accordance with the invention. The carpet stretching device 3.0 includes a first carpet engaging member 12, force measuring means 14, a spacer or spacers 16, force exerting means 18, and a second carpet engaging member 29 all operably interconnected as will be described hereinafter.

The carpet engaging members 12 and 20 may be constructed identically if desired. As illustrated, the only difierence in construction of the members 12 and 20 is the length of a pair of spaced tubular members 22 and 24 forming a portion of the carpet engaging member 12 as compared to a pair of spaced tubular members 26 and 28 forming a part of the carpet engaging member 20.

The carpet engaging member 12 includes a generally rectangular member 30 connected with the tubular members 22 and 24. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rectangular member 39 includes a wooden plank 32 encased in a metal housing 34-. An upper portion 36 of the housing 34 is welded to or otherwise suitably connected with the tubular members 22 and 24.

A lower portion 38 of the metallic housing 34 is secured to the lower surface of the wooden plank 32 by a plurality of screws 44 The lower portion 38 of the housing 34 and the plank 32 are secured to the upper portion 35 of the housing 34 by a pair of threaded fasteners 42.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of nails 44 or other suitable pointed members extend through the wooden plank 32. The lower ends of the nails 44 extend through openings 45 formed in the lower portion 38 of the housing 34 whereby the extending or projecting points are in a position to engage a carpet when the device 10 is disposed thereon. The nails 44 are driven through the plank 32 at a suitable angle so that the nails 44 on the carpet engaging member 12 will securely engage the carpet when the carpet stretching device 10 is placed thereon.

apparasection,

The carpet engaging member 21} includes an elongated member 4 6 that is suitably connected with the tubular members 26 and 28. Although not shown in detail, it will be understood that the elongated member 46 is constructed as was the previously described rectangular member 30. It will also be understood that nails 44 project angularly from the lower surface of the elongated member 46 in the opposite direction to the nails 44 in the member so that the carpet engaging member 20 will resist movement in the opposite direction when in engagement with the carpet.

The carpet engaging member 12 is provided with a vertically disposed cross member 43 that extends between the ends of the tubular members 22 and 24 remote from the member 30. The cross member 48 is provided for purposes that will become more apparent hereinafter.

Also, the carpet engaging member 26 is provided with a vertically disposed cross-member that extends between the ends of the tubular members 26 and 28 opposite to the ends that are connected with the rectangular member 46. The cross member 50 is provided so that the carpet engaging members 12 and 21 are interchangeable.

The force measuring means 14 includes a compressible, pressure responsive scale 52, which may be of any suitable type, such as an ordinary bathroom scale. The scale 52 includes an inner housing portion 54 telescopically arranged with respect to an outer housing portion 56. The housing portions 54- and 56 are generally held in an extended or uncompressed condition by a plurality of springs (not shown) in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the scale 52 includes a rotatable dial or indicator 58. A portion of the dial 58 can be seen through the glass or lens 66. The dial 58 on most common bathroom scales extends from 0 to 300 lbs. and only a portion of the scale readings are shown in FIG. 4. As is well known, the dial 58 moves in response to compression of the housing portions 54 and 56 to indicate the force exerted on the scale 52.

The force measuring means 14 also includes a compression member 62 that includes a pair of spaced tubular members 64 and 66 that are sized to fit telescopically into the tubular members 22 and 24 of the carpet engaging member 12. A vertically disposed cross member 68 connected with the exposed ends of the tubular members 64 and 66 is in engagement with the outer housing portion 56 of the scale 52. The cross member 68 is connected with one end of each of a pair of spaced tubular members 70 and 72.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cross members 48 and 68 engage the housing portions 54 and 56 of the scale 52 so that as the tubular members 64 and 66 telescope into the tubular members 22 and 24, respectively, a compressive force is exerted on the scale 52, moving the inner housing portion 54 relatively into the outer housing portion 56 in proportion to the force exerted thereon. As might be expected, the magnitude of the force exerted to move the compression member 62 into the carpet engaging member 12 is reflected on the dial 58 of the scale 52 as a force in pounds showing through the lens 60.

The spacer member 16 comprises a pair of elongated members 74 and 76 held in parallel, spaced relationship by a plurality of spacers 78. One end of each of the elongated members 74 and 76 is provided with a member of reduced diameter 80 (see FIG. 2). The members 80 are sized to fit within the tubular members 70 and 72 of the compression member 62.

It should be pointed out that while only one spacer member 16 has been illustrated, any number of spacer members 16 may be utilized to separate the carpet engaging members 12 and 20 by the desired or required distance. Also, the spacer members 16 may be provided in a variety of lengths so that the desired or required spacing between the carpet engaging members 12 and 20 can be attained.

The opposite ends of the elongated members 74 and 76 receive members 81 (see FIG. 2) that are connected with a first place 82 forming a portion of the force exerting means 18. As illustrated, the force exerting means 18 is a screw type jack comprising the previously mentioned first plate 82, a second plate 84 disposed in parallel spaced relation to the plate 82, a rotatable screw 86, and a linkage mechanism 88 interconnecting the plates 82 and 84 with the rotatable screw 86 and journaling the screw 86. Manifestly, rotation of the screw 86 moves the plates 82 and 84 relatively apart as is Well known to those familiar with mechanical jacks.

Connected with and projecting from the plate 84 is a pair of members 90 (see FIG. 2) that are sized to be received in the ends of tubular members 26 and 28 adjacent the cross member 50 on the carpet engaging member 20. While only one of the members 90 is illustrated in FIG. 2, it will be understood that an identical member is provided for operably connecting the tubular member 26 with the plate 84.

With the carpet stretching device 10 disposed on a carpet (not shown), the nails 44 projecting from the carpet engaging members 12 and 20 penetrate the carpet. After the scale 52 has been placed between the carpet engaging member 12 and the compression member 62 with the appropriate length spacer members 16 and the force exerting means 18 connected in the device 10, the screw 86 is rotated, moving the plates 82 and 84 relatively apart.

As the plates 82 and 84 move relatively apart and with the carpet engaging members 12 and 20 securely engaging the carpet, a force is transmitted through-the device 10 moving the carpet engaging members 12 and 20 relatively apart. When this occurs, the force is imparted to the carpet tending to stretch it.

Due to the resistance of the carpet to stretching, the compression member 62 telescopes into the carpet engaging member 12 compressing the scale 52. As the scale 52 is compressed the indicator or dial 58 thereon rotates indicating the force exerted on the carpet through the lens 60. Thus, it is possible for the person actuating the force exerting means 18 to visually observe the scale 52 and determine the precise force placed on the carpet in pounds.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a room in which a carpet 102 is to be laid. The room 100 is illustrated as including four walls 104, 106, 108 and 110.

Adjacent each of the walls a strip 112 is secured to a floor 114 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The strips 112 contain a plurality of curved protuberances 116 that are arranged to engage and securely hold the carpet 102 adjacent the walls and to hold the edges of the carpet 102 in secure engagement with the fioor.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the corners of the room 100 have been designated by the reference characters A, B, C and D. When utilizing the carpet stretching device 10, in accordance with the method of the invention, the device 10 is positioned as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 5. That is, the carpet stretching device 10 is positioned along the wall 104 with the carpet engaging member 20 disposed adjacent the corner A and the carpet engaging member 12 disposed adjacent the corner B.

After the device 10 has been positioned as described, the force exerting means 18 is actuated by rotating the screw 86 exerting a force on the carpet 102 parallel to the wall 104. While the force is imposed thereon, the carpet 102 is secured along the wall 104 by engagement with the protuberances 116 on the strip 112 (see FIG. 7).

After the carpet has been secured along the wall 104, the device 10 is moved to the position illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 5, that is, to the position wherein the carpet engaging member 12 is disposed adjacent the corner C of the room 100 and the carpet engaging member 20 is disposed adjacent the corner A of the room 100. After the device is positioned along the wall 106, the force exerting means 18 is again actuated to impose a force on the carpet 102 in a direction parallel to the wall 106. To assure that the carpet 102 will be free of wrinkles, the operator of the device 10 observes the dial 58 on the scale 52 and continues to rotate the screw 86 in the appropriate direction until the scale 52 indicates that the same load or force has been placed on the carpet 102 parallel to the wall 106 as was previously exerted on the carpet 102 in a direction parallel to the wall 104.

If desired, the foregoing procedure can be repeated for each of the remaining walls, that is, the walls 108 and 110. Manifestly, each edge of the carpet 102 adjacent each of the walls is secured to the floor 114 as previously described.

In the preferred method of stretching the carpet 102, the carpet 102 is stretched along the walls 104 and 106 as previously described. After this has been accomplished, the device 10 is positioned on the carpet 102 parallel to the wall 108 and with the carpet engaging member 20 disposed adjacent the corner B of the room 100 and the carpet engaging member 12 disposed adjacent the corner D of the room 100. A second carpet stretching device 10a is then positioned along the wall 110 of the room 100 with the carpet engaging member 20a disposed adjacent the corner C and the carpet engaging member 12a disposed adjacent the carpet engaging member 12 of the device 10.

When the carpet stretching devices 10 and 10a are positioned as described, the force exerting means 18 on the device 10 and the force exerting means 1812 on the carpet stretching 10:: are actuated simultaneously so that the carpet 102 is stetched in a direction parallel to the wall 108 and a direction parallel to the wall 110 at the same time. The operators of the devices 10 and 10:: observe the scales 52 and 52a, respectively, continuing to rotate the screws 86 and 860 on the force exerting means 18 and 18a until the scales 52 and 52a indicate that equal stretching forces have been placed on the carpet 102 in both directions.

The loads imposed on the carpet 102 along with the walls 108 and 110 will also be equal to the loads imposed on the carpet 102 along the walls 104 and 106. Thus, and after securing the edges of the carpet 102 as previously described, the carpet 102 is stretched with equal force in all directions and will be free of wrinkles or bulges.

From the foregoing detailed description, it can be appreciated that the carpet stretching device 10 is of relatively simple construction that can be quickly and easily disassembled and transported from one location to the other with relative ease. Also, it can be appreciated that the device can be utilized by relatively unskilled persons to install the carpet 102 in a highly efiicient and satisfactory manner.

It will be understood that the single embodiment of carpet stretching device 10 described in detail hereinbefore is presented by way of example only and that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims. Also, it will be obvious that the steps of the method may be modified or there order changed without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. Carpet stretching apparatus comprising:

rst and second spaced, telescopingly and slidingly connected carpet engaging members arranged to engage a carpet; a compression force measuring means operably connected with said first carpet engaging member; and, force exerting means operably connected with said force measuring means and with said second carpet engagin' member for exerting a force on said apparatus to bias said carpet engaging members relatively apart thereby stretching the carpet between said members. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said force exerting means includes a screw operated jack having a first plate 5 detachably connected with said force measuring means, a second plate detachably connected with said second carpet engaging member, a rotatable screw, and linkage means journaling said screw and operably interconnecting said screw with said first and second plates, said linkage means being responsive to rotation of said screw to move said plates relatively together and relatively apart, the detachable engagement of said first and second plates with said force measuring means and second carpet engaging member, respectively, being effected by the telescoping engagement of members projecting from said plates with tubular means carried by said force measuring means and second carpet engaging member.

3. In a method of laying carpet, the steps of: laying a carpet over the floor area to be carpeted; placing carpet stretching apparatus including: a pair of spaced carpet engaging members, force exerting means for biasing said members relatively apart, and force measuring means for indicating the biasing force along a first edge of the carpet with said members adjacent respective corners of the carpet and in holding engagement therewith; actuating said force exerting means, moving said members relatively apart and stretching said carpet; securing the first edge of said carpet adjacent said apparatus to said floor; and, stretching and securing the remaining edges of said carpet with equal force as indicated by the indicator on said force measuring means. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the remaining edges are stretched and secured by the following steps:

placing said carpet stretching apparatus along a second edge disposed generally perpendicular to said first edge of the carpet with said members adjacent respective corners thereof; actuating said force exerting means, moving said members relatively apart, stretching said carpet until said indicator indicates a force equal to the stretching force exerted on said first edge; securing said second edge to said floor; placing said carpet stretching apparatus along a third edge disposed generally perpendicular to said second edge with said members adjacent respective corners thereof; actuating said force exerting means, moving said members relatively apart, stretching said carpet until said indicator indicates a force equal to the stretching force exerted on said third edge; securing said third edge to said floor; placing said carpet stretching apparatus along a fourth edge disposed generally perpendicular to said first edge of the carpet with said members adjacent respective corners thereof; actuating said force exerting means, moving said members relatively apart stretching said carpet until said indicator indicates a force equal to the stretching force exerted on said other edges; and, securing said fourth edge to said floor. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the remaining edges are stretched and secured by the following steps:

placing said carpet stretching apparatus along a second edge disposed generally perpendicular to said first edge of the carpet with said members adjacent respective corners thereof; actuating said force exerting means, moving said members relatively apart, stretching said carpet until said indicator indicates a force equal to the stretching force exerted on said first edge; securing said second edge to said floor; placing said carpet stretching apparatus along a third edge of said carpet with said members disposed adjacent respective corners thereof;

placing a second carpet stretching apparatus along a fourth edge of said carpet with one member engaging said carpet adjacent one corner and the other member engaging said carpet adjacent one member on said first mentioned carpet stretching apparatus;

simultaneously actuating the force exerting means on both carpet stretching apparatus, moving said members on each apparatus relatively apart, stretching said third and fourth edges simultaneously with equal force as indicated by said force measuring means; and,

securing said third and fourth edges to said floor.

6. Carpet stretching apparatus comprising:

first and second spaced, carpet engaging members arranged to engage the carpet;

compressible scale means having a force indicator thereon and being in engagement with said first carpet engaging member, said force indicator being responsive to the compression of said scale mean to indicate the magnitude of the force exerted thereon;

a compression member telescopically connected with said first carpet engaging member;

force exerting means operably connected with said compression member and with said second carpet engaging member whereby force exerted by said force exerting means of said apparatus to bias said carpet engaging members relatively apart is transmitted through said compression member, scale means and carpet engaging members to the carpet and said force indicator indicates the magnitude of said force.

7. Carpet stretching apparatus comprising:

first and second spaced, carpet engaging members arranged to engage a carpet, said carpet engaging members each including a lower surface having a plurality of protuberances projecting therefrom arranged to engage the carpet;

a compressible scale means in engagement with said first carpet engaging member and having a force indicator thereon, said force indicator being responsive to compression of said scale means to indicate the magnitude of a force exerted thereon;

a compression member telescopically connected with said first carpet engaging member and engageable with said compressible scale means;

at least one spacer member having one end connected with said compression member; and

force exerting means including a screw operated jack having a first plate connected with the other end of said spacer member and having a second plate connected with said second carpet engaging member, said screw operated jack further including a rotatable screw, and linkage means journaling said screw and operably interconnecting said first and second plates, said linkage means being responsive to rotation of said screw to move said plates relatively apart, whereby said force exerting means imparts a force on said apparatus biasing said carpet engaging members relatively apart to stretch the carpet therebetween and compressing said scale means to indicate on said indicator the stretching force exerted on said carpet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 241,099 5/1881 Walden 25454 X 834,535 10/1906 Poirot 254-57 1,929,837 10/1933 Cathcard 25459 2,920,871 1/1960 Kolodin 254122 3,176,962 4/1965 Baker 25467 35 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. CARPET STRETCHING APPARATUS COMPRISING: FIRST AND SECOND SPACED, TELESCOPINGLY AND SLIDINGLY CONNECTED CARPET ENGAGING MEMBERS ARRANGED TO ENGAGE A CARPET; A COMPRESSION FORCE MEASURING MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST CARPET ENGAGING MEMBER; AND, FORCE EXERTING MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED WITH SAID FORCE MEASURING MEANS AND WITH SAID SECOND CARPET ENGAGING MEMBER FOR EXERTING A FORCE ON SAID APPARATUS TO BIAS SAID CARPET ENGAGING MEMBERS RELATIVELY APART THEREBY STRETCHING THE CARPET BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS. 